Visit Nokogiriyama, one of the most breathtaking and unique places I’ve been to in Japan. This mountain offers impressive views and rich cultural landmarks. Explore sacred temples, see the giant Buddha statue, and enjoy the peaceful scenery from the mountain’s cliffs.

Recommended arrival time at the first location: 10:00-11:00 AM

Quick summary of the day:

• Ride the cable car to the top of Nokogiriyama

• Walk along trails with beautiful views

• Visit local Temple and its giant Buddha

• Explore ancient rock carvings and statues along the mountain

• Visit delicious seafood restaurant for local specialties

IMPORTANT:

1. Includes a moderate 25 minute hike up stairs - comfortable footwear is recommended.

2. The ropeway may be closed due to rain or strong winds, so choose ONLY days with good weather for this trip. You can find daily updates on the ropeway’s operating status on their website:

   https://www.mt-nokogiri.co.jp/pc/p010000.php

   (Use Google translate)

You can reach this location by train or car.

BY TRAIN - around 2 hours and 10 minutes

• From Tokyo to Hama-Kanaya Station:

🗾Flexible travel route from Tokyo Station to Hama-Kanaya Station depending on your departure time (Google Maps)

Recommended route and time:

To follow this itinerary, I recommend departing from Tokyo on the 08:55 train (see the attached photo for the suggested route and transfer details). This route will help ensure you arrive at your destination in good time while enjoying a smooth travel experience.

1. Take the Sobu Line Rapid train from Tokyo Station to Kisarazu Station. Please note that finding the Sobu Line at Tokyo Station might take some time (around 15 minutes), so I recommend arriving at the station 20-25 minutes before your train. Never hesitate to ask station staff for directions.

   📍Kisarazu Station Location

2. Then, at Kisarazu Station, transfer to the Local train headed to Hama-Kanaya Station.

   📍Hama-Kanaya Station

Some tips: The route from Tokyo to Kisarazu Station can get quite crowded, and it’s a 1.5-hour journey. If you budget allows, I recommend opting for the “Green Car” which offers extra comfort in Japan. Specifically for this route, the Green Car upgrade will cost about $10 (in addition to the regular fare), and you'll have a more comfortable seat in a spacious carriage.

You don’t need to reserve a Green Car seat in advance - you can decide on the spot whether you want to use it or not. Just look for the car marked with a green clover symbol 🍀 (see the second attached photo). There are usually announcements in English before boarding, indicating which cars are Green Cars.

Once on board, simply take a seat, and the conductor will come to you. You’ll need to let them know where you boarded (e.g., Tokyo Station) and your destination (Kisarazu Station). They might speak a little English, but if not, you can show them your route on your smartphone or just name the two stations. They’ll then tell you the fare, which is around 1,400 yen. Please note that payment is cash only!

• From Hama-Kamaya Station back to Tokyo:

I recommend returning to Tokyo using same trains. However, note that the transfer is often at a different station on the return trip—most likely at 📍Kimitsu Station.

🗾Flexible travel route from Hama-Kanaya Station to Tokyo Station depending on your departure time (Google Maps)

*Travel times are approximate and may vary depending on your departure time and traffic conditions..

It’s a paradise for seafood lovers! If you’re into sashimi, you’ll find an incredible selection of the freshest sashimi you’ve ever had.

You can mix and match almost any combination of seafood in a donburi (a rice bowl topped with seafood)—what I’ve got in the first photo is sea urchin roe, salmon roe, and scallops, but you can create your own perfect combo (I’ve attached a translated menu).

And if raw fish isn’t your thing, don’t worry—there are delicious grilled fish options as well!

A cozy cafe offering a variety of drinks, desserts, and light meals. With a relaxed atmosphere, it’s a great spot to take a break and enjoy a coffee or snack.

This is the starting point for the ropeway up Mt. Nokogiri.

The ropeway ticket price is 1,200 yen for adults and 600 yen for children for a round trip.

Be sure to check the time of the last descent, as it can change depending on the day of the week or weather conditions. You’ll find this info displayed at the ticket counter, and also updated daily on the website: https://www.mt-nokogiri.co.jp/pc/p010000.php

To explore the next spots at a relaxed pace, make sure to catch the ropeway no later than 1:30 PM.

The station serves as the starting point for the hike to Nihonji Temple.

To reach the entrance of Nihonji Temple, after exiting the cable car, head up to the very top floor and then follow the arrows shown in the attached photos.

• This is the LAST RESTROOM until you reach The Great Buddha of Nihonji, which is about an hour away, so make sure to take advantage of it before heading out.

• This is also the last place to buy water before you reach The Great Buddha of Nihonji. (There’s a vending machine at the entrance to the Temple, but when I visited, it was sold out of water and only had sugary drinks, so I recommend stocking up here just to be safe)

The Nihonji Temple West Entrance/Exit Management Office is where you can purchase tickets to enter the main complex of the temple and get a map. The entrance fee is ¥700.

IMPORTANT:

When you enter the temple, you’ll be given a map. Please check out the second attached photo, I've marked your current location on the map and added arrows to show the correct path. I’ve also included another photo of the same spot with an arrow pointing you in the right direction.

Disclaimer on why not to go left or right: If you go left, you'll face a really steep climb, and the view is basically the same as what you saw from the ropeway—so it's not worth the effort in my opinion. If you go right, it takes you down to another temple entrance, but there's no need to go that way. Just stay on the path straight ahead!

*This is the last spot where you can buy water from a vending machine before entering the area!

Hyaku-Shaku Kannon is a must-see spot on Mt. Nokogiri. This impressive Kannon statue, carved into the steep cliff, stands at about 30 meters high. It’s easy to miss the turn for this spot, I’ve attached a photo of the junction and marked the direction you need to go (check out the second photo).

After you visit this place, head back to the junction where you turned off and keep going as shown in the last photo.

The Ruri Lookout at Nihon-ji Temple offers a stunning panoramic view. Situated on Mount Nokogiriyama, this scenic spot is perfect for snapping Instagram-worthy photos or simply taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Be careful when climbing up to the observation deck - the surface is very uneven and slippery.

Absolutely mind-blowing viewing point on Mount Nokogiri. The cliffside spot provides striking views of the surrounding landscape, with a steep drop that gives the sensation of looking into a deep chasm, which is why it's called the "View of Hell."

Be careful when climbing up to the observation deck - the surface is very uneven and slippery.

To reach next locations, you’ll be walking down stairs for about 10-15 minutes. Keep in mind that the way back includes a 25-minute uphill hike, entirely made up of stairs. This is the moderate hike I mentioned earlier in the preview for this day trip. While the next location is one of the highlights of the trip, if you’re unable or prefer not to do this hike, it’s best to skip next spots and head back toward the ropeway station the SAME WAY YOU CAME.

If you decide NOT to continue further, this itinerary ends here for you. You can head back to the ropeway the same way you came, take the ropeway down, and return to the station. Or, you can visit the restaurants or cafés mentioned above that you haven’t tried yet.

Tuten Kan is a unique tunnel carved into a mountain. What sets it apart are the two Nio guardian statues that flank the entrance, a feature typically found at temple gates.

Nihon-ji Daibutsu is an impressive statue carved into the mountain face at Nihon-ji Temple. This Great Buddha is one of Japan's largest stone Buddha statues and offers a remarkable sight.

At this spot, you can find restrooms and water vending machines.

This was our last point of interest in the area, and now it’s time to head back toward the upper ropeway station. To reach the ropeway, simply follow the signs labeled Ropeway or ロープウェー
It will lead you to the same entryway where you paid the entrance fee.

I've attached the map for your route.

*You could stay longer to explore other spots in the area, but most of them require additional hiking and significantly more time, which I personally don't think is worth it and do not recommend it. If you do choose to stay, please be mindful of the departure time for the last ride down and make sure not to miss it. Proceed at your own risk!

!!! Please note, you must exit through the gates by 16:00 !!!

You need to go through this exit to return to the upper ropeway station.

!!! Please note, you must exit through the gates by 16:00 !!!

Be sure to check the time of the last descent in advance, as it can change depending on the day of the week or weather conditions. You’ll find this info displayed at the ticket counter, and also updated daily on the website: https://www.mt-nokogiri.co.jp/pc/p010000.php

Return to Tokyo from this station.